Phased array design method and system based on double-element combination sub-array

Abstract

This invention discloses a phased array design method and system based on dual-element combined subarrays. Addressing the problems of high cost, high power consumption, and quantization lobes easily generated by periodic subarrays in large-scale phased arrays, this invention divides M array elements into N dual-element subarrays composed of two adjacent elements, M=2N. Each subarray is randomly and irregularly staggered with horizontal or vertical orientations on periodic grid nodes, covering an arbitrary shape array surface, breaking the phase period accumulation and suppressing lobes. Two elements of the same subarray are connected to the same beamforming RF channel via a combiner / power divider, halving the number of channels. The LNA / PA can be placed between the array element and the combiner to prioritize sensitivity, or between the combiner and the beamforming RF channel to reduce the number of active components. This invention reduces cost, power consumption, and complexity, improves radiation performance and electromagnetic compatibility, and is suitable for large-scale phased array radar and communication systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of radio frequency systems and wireless communication technology, specifically relating to a phased array design method and system based on dual-element combined subarrays. Background Technology

[0002] Phased array antennas, due to their significant advantages such as fast beam scanning speed, strong spatial power combining capability, and good anti-interference capability, have been widely used in radar detection, satellite communication, 5G / 6G mobile communication, and radio frequency sensing. With the development of next-generation information technology, the requirements for antenna gain and spatial resolution are constantly increasing, leading to increasingly larger element sizes in phased array antennas. In traditional fully element-controlled phased array architectures, each element needs to be independently connected to a complete radio frequency transceiver (T / R) module or beamforming channel. For large-scale phased array systems, this hardware architecture results in an extremely large number of components required. This not only makes the hardware manufacturing cost extremely high but also brings a series of engineering challenges such as high power consumption, difficult thermal management, and extremely complex wiring, making it difficult to meet the development needs of modern commercial and aerospace applications for low cost, low power consumption, and lightweight design.

[0003] To reduce the cost and system complexity of large-scale phased arrays, the industry typically employs a subarray-based phased array architecture. This involves dividing several adjacent array elements into a subarray, with elements within the same subarray sharing a beamforming channel after RF combining. While this method effectively reduces the number of channels, most existing subarray arrangements use a regular, periodic layout. Since the feed phase or amplitude of elements within a subarray is usually uniformly controlled or has a fixed phase difference, this periodic arrangement leads to a significant periodic accumulation of phase quantization errors in space during large-angle beam scanning. This results in high-level quantization lobes on the antenna radiation pattern. The appearance of quantization lobes not only disperses the main beam energy and reduces antenna gain but also receives or transmits interference signals from undesired directions, severely degrading the spatial filtering performance and electromagnetic compatibility of the phased array system. Furthermore, in traditional subarray RF channel design, if a passive combiner / power divider network is used to physically synthesize the array signals at the receiver before sending them to the LNA / PA for amplification, the insertion loss introduced by the combiner / power divider network will be directly superimposed on the front end of the system, resulting in a significant deterioration of the overall RF link of the system and severely reducing the sensitivity of the radar or communication system.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a novel phased array surface and RF architecture design method that can effectively reduce the number of RF transceiver components and channels to reduce cost and power consumption, break the periodicity limitation of traditional subarrays to eliminate the influence of quantization grating lobes, and at the same time ensure the system's excellent RF link performance and overall radiation characteristics. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Objective: To address the high hardware costs, high power consumption, and high system complexity resulting from the independent control architecture of all array elements in existing large-scale phased array antenna systems, as well as the high-level quantization grating lobes easily generated during beam scanning due to the periodic arrangement of traditional subarrays, this invention provides a phased array design method and system based on dual-element combined subarrays. This invention aims to halve the number of beamforming RF channels and halve the number of active transceiver components in the subsequent LNA / PA configuration while ensuring system radiation performance, and effectively suppressing quantization grating lobes.

[0006] Technical solution: To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following solution is adopted:

[0007] This invention first provides a phased array design method based on a dual-element combined subarray, comprising the following steps:

[0008] Constructing a phased array system architecture: Providing a physical architecture for a phased array including an antenna array, a combiner / power divider, and a beamforming network; wherein, the antenna array has a total of M elements, named A... 1,1 A 1,2 A 2,1 A 2,2 …A N,1 A N,2 It is divided into N double-element subarrays, M=2×N; each of the double-element subarrays consists of two adjacent elements;

[0009] Irregular subarray arrangement and splicing: The various dual-element subarrays are spliced ​​together on the array surface in a random and irregular arrangement to form a complete antenna array;

[0010] Configure RF channel connection: Configure a beamforming RF channel in the phased array physical architecture so that two array elements in the same dual-element subarray are connected to the same beamforming RF channel in the beamforming network through corresponding combiners / power dividers.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer boundary of the complete antenna array has an arbitrary irregular contour shape.

[0012] Furthermore, within the boundary of the complete antenna array, all array elements are located on periodic grid nodes, while the combination direction and splicing position of the dual-element subarrays exhibit randomness and aperiodicity on the grid nodes.

[0013] Furthermore, the dual-array subarrays have two different placement orientations on the periodic grid nodes, specifically arranged in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction; each of the dual-array subarrays is randomly staggered and assembled in a horizontal or vertical direction to form the complete antenna array.

[0014] Furthermore, the random and irregular arrangement is generated by an antenna array comprehensive optimization algorithm. Under the condition of satisfying the complete antenna array contour constraints and radiation performance requirements, the algorithm iteratively optimizes and determines the placement orientation and physical position of each dual-element subarray on the grid node.

[0015] Furthermore, the two elements within the dual-element subarray reuse the same beamforming RF channel, and the total number of beamforming RF channels required for the overall phased array system is N, which is half of the total number of elements M in the antenna array.

[0016] Furthermore, the method also includes the step of realizing phased array beam reconstruction: by controlling the beamforming network, the amplitude and phase weights of each beamforming radio frequency channel are independently adjusted, and in conjunction with the irregularly arranged dual array subarray, dynamic scanning or shaping reconstruction of the radiation beam is realized.

[0017] This invention also provides a phased array antenna system, which employs the aforementioned phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays. The system includes:

[0018] The antenna array is composed of N dual-element subarrays. Each dual-element subarray consists of two adjacent elements, and the dual-element subarrays are arranged randomly and irregularly on the array surface.

[0019] Combiner / power divider, each of the combiner / power divider corresponds to a dual-element subarray;

[0020] A beamforming network containing N beamforming radio frequency channels;

[0021] Two elements in the same dual-element subarray are connected to the same beamforming RF channel in the beamforming network through corresponding combiners / power dividers.

[0022] Furthermore, it also includes a low-noise amplifier / power amplifier (LNA / PA), which is disposed between each of the array elements and the combiner / power divider, or between the combiner / power divider and the beamforming RF channel.

[0023] Furthermore, the number N of the beamforming radio frequency channels is half of the total number of array elements M in the antenna array, i.e., N = M / 2.

[0024] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0025] 1) Significantly reduced hardware costs and system power consumption. This invention employs an architecture where dual-element subarrays share a single RF channel, achieving a 1:2 ratio between the number of channels and the total number of array elements. While maintaining the phased array aperture size, the number of beamforming RF channels and RF control channels is reduced by half; in the rear LNA / PA configuration, the number of active transceiver components can also be halved. This significantly reduces manufacturing and hardware procurement costs, while also substantially reducing the overall power consumption and heat dissipation pressure of the phased array system.

[0026] 2) Effectively suppresses and eliminates quantization grating lobes. This invention successfully overcomes the spatial phase degradation caused by the periodic arrangement of traditional fixed-shape subarray-level phased arrays by introducing a random, irregular interleaving mechanism of dual-element subarrays in a two-dimensional plane. This mechanism allows the quantization error to be randomly distributed in space during large-angle beam scanning, effectively suppressing the level rise of quantization grating lobes and ensuring that the antenna array still has excellent low sidelobe radiation performance during wide-angle scanning.

[0027] 3) This invention ensures and optimizes the receiver G / T and transmitter EIRP. When the LNA / PA is placed between the array element and the combiner / power divider, it avoids the impact of combiner / power divider insertion loss on receiver sensitivity or transmitter EIRP. When the LNA / PA is placed between the combiner / power divider and the beamforming RF channel, it reduces the number of active components, lowering power consumption and thermal management pressure. In the front-end LNA / PA configuration, it can significantly reduce system front-end link loss, ensuring excellent sensitivity and detection range of large-scale phased array antenna systems.

[0028] 4) Supports dual reconfigurability of boundary shape and beam morphology. The layout design of this invention can adapt to irregular array surfaces with arbitrary boundary shapes, including but not limited to rectangles, circles, etc. At the same time, combined with the irregular dual-element subarray layout, by independently controlling the amplitude and phase weights of each radio frequency channel, the system can achieve dynamic beam scanning, multi-beam reconstruction, or beamforming reconstruction with a high degree of freedom, which greatly improves the adaptive working capability of radar and wireless communication systems in complex electromagnetic environments.

[0029] 5) Optimize thermal management and improve long-term system reliability. Traditional phased array antennas with independent control of all array elements present severe heat dissipation challenges due to the dense arrangement of active transceiver components. This invention halves the number of beamforming RF channels in the array surface by using a dual-element multiplexing single-channel architecture; in the rear LNA / PA configuration, the number of active components can also be halved, thereby helping to reduce the overall heat generation of the array surface and the temperature of local hot spots. This greatly alleviates the thermal management pressure of the system, not only reducing the weight and cost of the heat dissipation structure, but also significantly improving the mean time between failures (MTBF) of active devices and the long-term reliability of the system.

[0030] 6) Meeting the lightweight requirements of aerospace and mobile platforms. For spaceborne, airborne, and vehicle-mounted mobile platforms, system size, weight, and power consumption are extremely critical constraints. This invention, without sacrificing antenna aperture area (i.e., maintaining spatial resolution), effectively reduces the number of backplane wiring layers, control cabling, and the volume and weight of related power supply and heat dissipation modules by cutting the radio frequency control channels by half. This achieves a high degree of lightweighting and miniaturization of the phased array array, greatly expanding the application prospects of this technology in aerospace and highly mobile platforms. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the physical architecture of a phased array based on a combination of two array elements; where (a) and (b) represent schematic diagrams of two different physical architectures of a phased array based on a combination of two array elements.

[0032] Figure 2 The diagram shows the vertical and horizontal placement orientations of the double array subarrays; where (a) represents the vertical placement orientation (i.e., 2×1 arrangement) and (b) represents the horizontal placement orientation (i.e., 1×2 arrangement).

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a complete antenna array structure of arbitrary shape composed of two array elements arranged in a random and irregular manner;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a phased array surface (M=1024, N=512) based on a dual-element combined subarray in the embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 The example shows the phased array beam scanning effect based on a dual-element combined subarray.

[0036] In the diagram above: 1-antenna array, 101-array element, 102-dual-array subarray, 2-LNA / PA, 3-combiner / power divider, 4-beamforming network, 401-beamforming RF channel (correspondingly labeled CH 1, CH 2, ..., CH N in the diagram). Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0038] It should be specifically noted that the terms "irregular" and "non-periodic" as used in this invention refer to the non-periodicity of the arrangement and orientation of the dual-element subarrays on the overall array surface, and not to the irregularity of the physical shape of the subarrays themselves. The dual-element subarrays themselves remain standard rectangular physical structures.

[0039] Combination Figures 1 to 5 This invention provides a phased array design method and system based on a dual-element combined subarray, the specific implementation details of which are as follows:

[0040] 1. Physical architecture and RF channel topology

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown in (a), the physical architecture of the phased array based on the dual-element combined subarray mainly consists of four core layers from top to bottom: antenna array 1, LNA / PA 2, combiner / power divider 3, and beamforming network 4; Figure 1 As shown in (b), the physical architecture of a phased array based on a dual-element combined subarray can also be composed of four core layers from top to bottom: antenna array 1, combiner / power divider 3, LNA / PA2, and beamforming network 4.

[0042] In this embodiment, antenna array 1 has M elements, which are divided into N dual-element subarrays 102 (where M = 2 × N). Depending on the system's transmission and reception requirements, the LNA / PA 2 can be configured between element 101 and combiner / power divider 3, or between combiner / power divider 3 and beamforming RF channel 401. Specifically, after the signal is received by antenna array 1 or before it is transmitted, it is amplified by the LNA / PA 2 to improve the receiving system G / T or the transmitting system EIRP.

[0043] Two array elements 101 within the same dual-element subarray 102 are connected to the same beamforming RF channel 401 in the beamforming network 4 through corresponding combiners / power dividers 3, so as to ensure that the RF signal can be combined or split with equal amplitude and in phase.

[0044] This multiplexing architecture reduces the total number of beamforming RF channels 401 required for the overall phased array system to N, which is only half the total number of array elements M. When using... Figure 1 When the LNA / PA configuration shown in (b) is rear-mounted, the number of LNAs / PAs is also N, thus halving the number of active transceiver components; when using Figure 1 When the front-end LNA / PA configuration shown in (a) is used, the number of LNA / PAs is M, but priority can be given to ensuring the receiving sensitivity or transmitting EIRP.

[0045] 2. The basic physical form of the dual-element subarray

[0046] like Figure 2The diagram shows the vertical and horizontal placement orientations of the dual-element subarray 102 on the periodic grid nodes. The system retains a standardized modular design at the underlying physical structure. Each dual-element subarray 102 contains only two standard orthogonal placement states on the physical grid nodes: vertical placement orientation (i.e., a 2×1 arrangement, such as...). Figure 2 As shown in (a)); horizontal placement orientation (i.e., 1×2 arrangement, such as...) Figure 2 (as shown in (b)).

[0047] These two standardized dual-array subarray configurations are the basic modules for constructing subsequent complex arrays.

[0048] 3. Irregular arrangement and assembly of the battle formation

[0049] like Figure 3 The diagram shows a complete antenna array 1 of arbitrary shape, composed of two subarrays 102 arranged in a random and irregular manner.

[0050] When constructing the macro-array, the system will Figure 2 The vertical and horizontal subarrays are spliced ​​together on a two-dimensional plane. Although all array elements are still strictly located on standard periodic grid nodes, the arrangement orientation (horizontal or vertical) and spatial combination position of the dual-element subarrays exhibit a high degree of irregularity and randomness. This staggered splicing method covers the entire array surface, breaking the inherent paradigm of the traditional phased array where subarrays are arranged in the same direction and periodically, and can perfectly adapt to the complete antenna array structure, which is not limited to rectangular, circular, or other arbitrary boundary shapes.

[0051] 4. Specific Implementation Examples of Large-Scale Arrays

[0052] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a schematic of a reconfigurable phased array surface (total number of array elements M=1024, total number of channels N=512) based on an irregular arrangement of dual array element subarrays 102 in the embodiment.

[0053] For large-scale phased array systems, this embodiment constructs an array surface containing 1024 elements. Following the 1:2 channel-to-total-elements reuse ratio of this invention, the system only requires 512 beamforming channels. During array surface synthesis, the system employs an array optimization algorithm (e.g., particle swarm optimization or genetic algorithm) with the objective function of suppressing quantization grating lobes or peak sidelobe levels. Under the premise of satisfying the complete antenna array profile constraints and radiation performance requirements, iteratively optimizes and calculates the optimal horizontal / vertical orientation distribution matrix of these 512 dual-element subarrays across 1024 grid nodes, ultimately generating the following... Figure 4 The irregular array structure shown.

[0054] 5. Beam scanning effect and quantization lobe suppression

[0055] like Figure 5 The image shows the beam scanning effect of a phased array based on a dual-element combined subarray in this embodiment. When the system controls the beamforming network to perform large-angle beam scanning, compared to the traditional periodically arranged subarray architecture (which typically excites high-level quantization grating lobes at specific angles), this embodiment (M=1024, N=512) successfully randomizes the inherent phase quantization error within the subarrays in spatial radiation due to its irregular spatial distribution of the dual-element subarrays. Figure 5 The simulation results clearly show that, while maintaining a high-gain main lobe, the radiation pattern of this embodiment effectively smooths out the quantization grating lobe spikes that might otherwise appear and transforms them into uniformly distributed low-level sidelobes. Even with half the number of beamforming RF channels, the system still maintains excellent spatial filtering characteristics and radiation performance.

[0056] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A phased array design method based on a dual-element combined subarray, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Constructing a phased array system architecture: Providing a phased array physical architecture including an antenna array (1), a combiner / power divider (3), and a beamforming network (4); wherein the antenna array (1) has a total of M array elements (101), named A 1,1 A 1,2 A 2,1 A 2,2 …A N,1 A N,2 The array is divided into N double-element subarrays (102), M=2×N; each of the double-element subarrays (102) consists of two adjacent array elements (101); Irregular arrangement and splicing of subarrays: Each of the dual array element subarrays (102) is spliced ​​together on the array surface in a random and irregular arrangement to form a complete antenna array (1). Configure RF channel connection: Configure a beamforming RF channel (401) in the phased array physical architecture so that two array elements (101) in the same dual-element subarray (102) are connected to the same beamforming RF channel (401) in the beamforming network (4) through the corresponding combiner / power divider (3).

2. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer boundary of the complete antenna array (1) has an arbitrary irregular contour shape.

3. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: Inside the boundary of the complete antenna array (1), all array elements (101) are located on periodic grid nodes, while the combination direction and splicing position of the dual-element subarray (102) present a random and non-periodic distribution on the grid nodes.

4. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 3, characterized in that: The dual-array subarrays (102) have two different placement orientations on the periodic grid nodes, specifically arranged in a horizontal direction or in a vertical direction; each of the dual-array subarrays (102) is randomly staggered in the horizontal or vertical direction to form the complete antenna array (1).

5. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The random, irregular arrangement is generated by an antenna array comprehensive optimization algorithm. Under the condition of satisfying the complete antenna array contour constraints and radiation performance requirements, the placement orientation and physical position of each of the dual array subarrays (102) on the grid nodes are iteratively optimized and determined.

6. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two array elements (101) in the dual array subarray (102) reuse the same beamforming radio frequency channel (401). The total number of beamforming radio frequency channels (401) required by the overall phased array system is N, which is half of the total number of array elements M in the antenna array.

7. The phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method also includes the step of realizing phased array beam reconstruction: by controlling the beamforming network (4), the amplitude and phase weight of each beamforming radio frequency channel (401) are independently adjusted, and in conjunction with the irregularly arranged dual array subarray (102), dynamic scanning or shaping reconstruction of the radiation beam is realized.

8. A phased array antenna system, characterized in that, The system employs the phased array design method based on dual-element combined subarrays as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and comprises: The antenna array (1) is composed of N dual-element subarrays (102), each of the dual-element subarrays (102) is composed of two adjacent array elements (101), and each of the dual-element subarrays (102) is arranged randomly and irregularly on the array surface; Combiner / power divider (3), each of the combiner / power divider (3) corresponds to a dual-array subarray (102); Beamforming network (4) includes N beamforming radio frequency channels (401). Two array elements (101) in the same dual-element subarray (102) are connected to the same beamforming RF channel (401) in the beamforming network (4) through the corresponding combiner / power divider (3).

9. The phased array antenna system according to claim 8, characterized in that: It also includes a low-noise amplifier / power amplifier (2), which is disposed between each of the array elements (101) and the combiner / power divider (3), or between the combiner / power divider (3) and the beamforming RF channel (401).

10. The phased array antenna system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The number N of the beamforming radio frequency channels (401) is half of the total number of array elements M in the antenna array (1), that is, N = M / 2.

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